August report shows feedlot inventory up slightly
Placements higher than the trade expected.
USDA latest “Cattle on Feed” report was mostly in line with trade expectations. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.1 million head on August 1, 2024. The inventory was only slightly above last August and in line with pre-report trade estimates.
Placements in feedlots, on the hand, came in higher than the trade had expected. During July, USDA said 1.70 million head were placed, 6% above 2023. The average pre-report trade estimate was for a 3% increase
Net placements were 1.65 million head. During July, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 390,000 head, 600-699 pounds were 265,000 head, 700-799 pounds were 385,000 head, 800-899 pounds were 387,000 head, 900-999 pounds were 200,000 head, and 1,000 pounds and greater were 75,000 head.
Marketings of fed cattle during July totaled 1.86 million head, 8% above 2023. This was in line with what the trade had estimated.
USDA livestock analyst Shayle Shagam says the U.S. still has relatively large numbers of cattle on feed, “which will help supply cattle for slaughter in the coming months.”
As for the status cattle cycle and whether herd rebuilding has begun, Shagam says the report didn't really provide any further information.
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